The science, transparency and truth about Andrew Wheeler and Idaho’s Stibnite Gold Project

As the regulatory conservation associate for the Idaho Conservation League, I have reviewed hundreds of pollution control permits for industrial facilities across Idaho. These permits allow facilities like factories and mines to conduct operations while being protective of public health, clean water and clean air. In particular, I have closely followed and pushed back against the development of Perpetua Resource’s Stibnite Gold Project. 

At central Idaho’s Stibnite Gold Mine, crews start initial construction 

I was encouraged by my colleague Dr. Ian von Lindern’s informative and expert-based commentary regarding the troubling health effects this mega-mine presents. I was surprised to see former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, Andrew Wheeler, join the debate and directly address Dr. von Lindern’s comments in a rebuttal commentary.

While engaging in tit for tat op-ed commentary might normally be unproductive, I feel it’s important to address the hypocrisy of his conclusion that “Idaho families deserve decisions grounded in science, transparency and truth,” as his opinion is neither scientific, transparent nor truthful. 

Mr. Wheeler’s “science” comments echo Perpetua’s testimony before the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. I heard these same arguments as both Dr. von Lindern and I testified during the same administrative hearing process Mr. Wheeler references. While I am unsure how much Mr. Wheeler familiarized himself with the complex air quality “science” of the issue, I am sure Idaho families should not trust Mr. Wheeler’s opinion on this matter. 

Mr. Wheeler’s claims are startling coming from an EPA director who consistently undermined science and transparency. As the Union of Concerned Scientists outlined back in 2019, during his time as EPA director, Mr. Wheeler sidelined and ignored scientists, proposed restricting scientific data, recommended unsafe levels of drinking water contaminants, and rolled back environmental protections. His rebuttal commentary is simply a continuation of uninformed and misleading attacks on science and the health of Americans in the interest of industry. 

Within his commentary, Mr. Wheeler touts his former work as the head of the EPA in “protecting Americans from toxic exposures” but fails to mention his current connection to Perpetua Resources. In 2024 Mr. Wheeler joined the west coast law firm, Holland and Hart as an expert in regulatory affairs. Holland and Hart currently represents Perpetua Resources and their proposed mine in no less than four environmental permit appeals including three brought by ICL and our partners.

One involves a Clean Water Act permit under Idaho DEQ administrative appeal (Agency case number. 0102-24-02), one involves the U.S. Forest Service’s Record of Decision in federal court (see case number 1:25-cv-00086-AKB), one involves the same air permit referenced in Mr. Wheeler’s and Dr. von Lindern’s commentary that is now being appealed within state court (see case number CV01-25-13306). The fourth major litigation is an appeal of the same U.S. Forest Service Record of Decision by the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho in federal court (see case number 3:25-cv-00498-AKB).

With four active legal cases, it’s fair to question if Mr. Wheeler is acting on behalf of the public, Holland and Hart or Perpetua Resources. 

While Perpetua Resources has recently announced it has started on initial construction of its mine, it’s important to note that the above permit appeals present serious unsettled questions regarding the environmental impact of the mine. Until these appeals are concluded, the outcome of the mine is far from certain.

As Dr. von Lindern and I both testified during the administrative hearing process, the special concessions that Idaho DEQ granted to Perpetua have never been provided to any other Idaho air quality permit. They create a precedent that represents legitimate threats to air quality and human health for all Idahoans moving forward.

There is no dispute that Idaho DEQ’s Stibnite Project Specific Adjustment factor increases cancer risk to any children exposed to arsenic from operations at the Stibnite Gold Project, the question is whether that insult will “average out” over the remainder of the child’s life. Whether Idaho DEQ violated state rules in issuing Perpetua Resources this air pollution permit will now be determined in state court, a venue where personal interest and hypocrisy can be shed from “truth.”